Our specialist support services

We reached more people than ever before with our services last year. We were here for them:

Over the phone and by email

Our specialist Support Line was a lifeline to 1,054 people, providing the support and information they needed. This nurse led service was acknowledged by the Helplines Partnership when they awarded us the Helplines Standard accreditation, a nationally recognised mark of quality.

Face-to-face

Our three Community Coordinators met over 500 people with pancreatic cancer, families and members of the public at our information stands in clinics and hospitals across three regional areas.

We also ran eight Living with Pancreatic Cancer Support Days in regions across the UK, including: the East Midlands, South East, East Anglia, Yorkshire & Humberside, West Midlands and Northern Ireland. These days provide people with pancreatic cancer and their loved ones the chance to hear about the support that’s on offer, what to expect when living with pancreatic cancer, and the opportunity to meet others going through a similar experience.

In print and online

Our publications and online health information were used widely last year proving a real need for clear information on pancreatic cancer.

Nearly 30,000 publications were also distributed to health professionals and individuals or downloaded from our website.

We were re-accredited by the Information Standard for the fourth year in a row. And we won a number of awards, including Plain English Awards for our clear, easy-to-understand information.

“When we had nowhere else to turn, Pancreatic Cancer UK was there for us.”Dave McCarthy

living with pancreatic cancer since 2015.

“I was first diagnosed in 2015. It was a massive shock: I didn’t feel ill or anything like that. I had surgery and eventually life then went back to normal. I didn’t for one second think the follow-up scan would show anything.

But it did.

The doctor said I’d have up to seven months left. Chemo might give me an extra 12 weeks but apart from that, we were out of options – nothing more could be done.

On the way home, my wife Sue said, “I’m not having it. We need to find out more.

She got in touch with Dianne, one of the Pancreatic Cancer UK Support Line nurses, and suddenly it was like a weight had been lifted off our shoulders. Dianne was so helpful, upbeat and took the time to understand the situation we faced as a family. We were more than just a number to her. She also reassured us that there were still other treatment options.

No-one should have to go through what I have, but the genuine support and care we’ve received from Pancreatic Cancer UK has made such a huge difference to me and my family. And I hope they can continue to be there for everyone affected by the cancer because when you’re going through it, you need someone by your side who truly understands what it's like.

With your help we can be there for more people affected by pancreatic cancer and ensure that everyone receives support and information, when they need it the most.Get involved today